Ecnec okays project at Tk 20,507cr
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved seven projects involving Tk 22,520 crore including the revised Padma Bridge Project.
Construction cost of the bridge has been revised at Tk 20,507 crore which is more than double the initially estimated cost of Tk 10,161 crore, approved by the Ecnec in 2007.
Of the revised cost, Tk 17,516 crore will come from development partners.
The projects were okayed at an Ecnec meeting at the planning ministry with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Later, Planning Minister AK Khandkder told journalists that cost of the bridge project rose due to changes in the design of the bridge and increase of its length, land acquisition cost, price of construction materials and number of consultants.
Construction of the bridge with a six-lane road and a rail track is scheduled to be completed by 2015, according to the project proposal.
A 6-km approach road will be built on Mawa side and a 6-km one on Janjira side of the bridge. And river training will be done along a 14-km stretch of its banks — 6km on one side and 8km on the other.
The 6.15-km bridge will be the longest one in the country, and it will connect the south-western region with the capital.
The six other projects approved yesterday are the following: Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihoods Security Project under the environment and forest ministry. It will cost Tk 128 crore, of which government fund is Tk 37 crore and project aid Tk 91 core.
Expansion and Quality Improvement of Nursing Education Project under the health and family welfare ministry, costing Tk 100 crore. The government will fund it.
A Tk 78-crore project (revised) for supplying gas to Chandpur 150 megawatt thermal power plant under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, to be funded by the government.
Chittagong Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project under the Local Government Division to be implemented at a cost of Tk 1,078 crore. Of this, the government will provide Tk 106 crore and Tk 972 crore will come as project aid.
Sewage Treatment Plant at Dasherkandi for Treating Diverted Sewage from Hatirjheel and Begunbari Khal Project under the Local Government Division involving Tk 425 crore. The government will finance it.
Baroiahat-Heako-Ramgarh Land Port Link Road Improvement Project under the Roads and Railway Division to be implemented with Tk 204 crore project aid.
